Problem Child 3: Junior in Love
Encyclopedia
Problem Child 3: Junior in Love is a 1995 American made-for-TV threequel to Problem Child, and is the third and final entry in the Problem Child trilogy
. In this sequel, Junior is a preteen
and is in love with a girl named Tiffany. However, she does not notice him. Things take a murderous turn when he finds out there are three other boys interested in her as well. Mr. Peabody has switched jobs again; he is now Junior's dentist
. He takes advantage of this by trying to give him braces.
This film ignores the events of Problem Child 2
since Ben's love interest, Annie, and her daughter, Trixie, are absent in this film, as is LaWanda Dumore. Different actors were hired to play both Junior and Ben possibly due to the fact the actor portraying Junior in the first two films, Michael Oliver
, was involved in a legal dispute with the film company which wanted to claim back money earned from the first film as he had haggled and thus was said to have got the money unfairly. This is not confirmed, however.
) that he got an F for not finishing his science project, and he mentions that "it's all about sound waves", and the bell rings, causing a set of traps to trigger, and Miss Hicks to fall out a window. The audience is told that one of his classmates Murph (Eric Edwards
) told on him, and the principal called his dad, Ben (William Katt
), prompting him to take Junior to get help. He and Ben meet Sarah (Carolyn Lowery), a therapist
who tests Junior, and decides that he needs activities to do. Junior takes this harshly, and does not approve of these options.
He is taken to a dance school, run by a tyrannical débutante
, Lila Duvane (Ellen Albertini Dow
), and dislikes it at first, then he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Ogletree), but Murph - who had asked him to dance with his sister, Bertha (Edwards) - informs him that three boys, Duke (Brock Pierce
), flamboyant actor Corky (Blake McIver Ewing
), and bad boy Blade (Jake Richardson
) have already taken her. Junior tries to proclaim his love to Tiffany, but fails miserably. He is given a teacher, Mr. Burtis (Bruce Morrow
), which he traps him similar to Miss Hicks at the beginning. He bites an apple, and feels pain. He and Ben go to a dental clinic where it is discovered by the infamous Mr. Peabody (Gilbert Gottfried
) that he needs braces. Ben asks his father, Big Ben Healy (Jack Warden
), for a $5,000 loan which leads to disappointing results.
After meeting the trio and Tiffany, he decides to start with scouting under Scoutmaster Phlim (Sherman Howard
) who is Duke's father. Afterwards he decides to enter hockey which Blade is in. He gets beaten by Blade's team (a scene shows his gear flying up into the air after a critical hit, an obvious parody of the first Problem Child
). After his rough encounters, he decides to "get even" and take part in a Peter Pan
play, where he is stuck portraying a weed. Ben meets Sarah at a Big Ben's, and it is discovered that she was with Scoutmaster Phlim, and subsequently broken up with him.
During the hockey tournament, Junior beats everyone of the opposing team players, and strikes Blade with a hockey puck. After this, he is banned for life, and then he traps Corky by distracting the janitor (Rance Howard
), and pulling the rope to the suspension harness, and crashing it down, severely injuring Corky and Lila Duvane.
After these two schemes, Junior and Ben are challenged to an obstacle course in which consists of a sack race, a tire run, a monkey bar cross, a rope climb, and a canoe race. Junior sabotages every obstacle on their side, and they win. However, Tiffany winds up being not what Junior expected; his "dream girl" is really a spoiled brat. Junior pranks her by tying the ribbon on her dress to a statue, and as she walks forward, it rips off, making it useless. Half-naked, embarrassed, and laughed at, Tiffany runs out crying, and Junior meets a nicer girl who is also wearing braces. Like the beginning, Junior depicts everyone in a coloring book, and signs off by saying "so long suckers!", as the words "The End" pop up in the book.
, the original actor who played Junior Healy, was involved in a legal dispute which prevented him from being in the third installment.
Trilogy
A trilogy is a set of three works of art that are connected, and that can be seen either as a single work or as three individual works. They are commonly found in literature, film, or video games...
. In this sequel, Junior is a preteen
Preteen
Preadolescence is a stage of human development following early childhood and prior to adolescence. It may be defined as ending with the beginning of puberty or with the beginning of the teenage stage, the time frames in which adolescence is considered to begin. In terms of age in years,...
and is in love with a girl named Tiffany. However, she does not notice him. Things take a murderous turn when he finds out there are three other boys interested in her as well. Mr. Peabody has switched jobs again; he is now Junior's dentist
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a 'dental surgeon', is a doctor that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. The dentist's supporting team aides in providing oral health services...
. He takes advantage of this by trying to give him braces.
This film ignores the events of Problem Child 2
Problem Child 2
Problem Child 2 is the 1991 comedy film sequel to the 1990 sleeper hit Problem Child; a continuation of the exploits of an adopted orphan boy who deliberately wreaks havoc everywhere he goes...
since Ben's love interest, Annie, and her daughter, Trixie, are absent in this film, as is LaWanda Dumore. Different actors were hired to play both Junior and Ben possibly due to the fact the actor portraying Junior in the first two films, Michael Oliver
Michael Oliver (actor)
Michael Oliver is a former American child actor of the 1990s. Oliver is best known for his role as "Junior" in two Problem Child movies.-Early life and career:...
, was involved in a legal dispute with the film company which wanted to claim back money earned from the first film as he had haggled and thus was said to have got the money unfairly. This is not confirmed, however.
Plot
Junior Healy (Justin Chapman) tells a story from multiple drawings in a coloring book, and it switches to his classroom where he is told by Miss Hicks (Marianne MuellerleileMarianne Muellerleile
-Life and career:Muellerleile was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Margaret and Cecil E. Muellerleile, an oil company executive....
) that he got an F for not finishing his science project, and he mentions that "it's all about sound waves", and the bell rings, causing a set of traps to trigger, and Miss Hicks to fall out a window. The audience is told that one of his classmates Murph (Eric Edwards
Eric Edwards
Eric Edwards is an American former adult film star.Among his pseudonyms are Eric Cowards, Erik Edwards, Rob Emmett, Rob Everett, Rob Evert or Eric Roberts.- Awards :*1983 CAFA Best Actor for Sexcapades...
) told on him, and the principal called his dad, Ben (William Katt
William Katt
William Theodore Katt is an American film and television actor, best known as the star of The Greatest American Hero. He is also known for playing Tommy Ross, the ill-fated prom date of Carrie White in the film version of Carrie and Paul Drake Jr. in the Perry Mason TV movies...
), prompting him to take Junior to get help. He and Ben meet Sarah (Carolyn Lowery), a therapist
Therapy
This is a list of types of therapy .* Adventure therapy* Animal-assisted therapy* Aquatic therapy* Aromatherapy* Art and dementia* Art therapy* Authentic Movement* Behavioral therapy* Bibliotherapy* Buteyko Method* Chemotherapy...
who tests Junior, and decides that he needs activities to do. Junior takes this harshly, and does not approve of these options.
He is taken to a dance school, run by a tyrannical débutante
Debutante
A débutante is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal "début" presentation. It should not be confused with a Debs...
, Lila Duvane (Ellen Albertini Dow
Ellen Albertini Dow
Ellen Albertini Dow is an American character actress. She often portrays feisty old ladies and is perhaps best known as the rapping grandmother who performs in the feature film The Wedding Singer...
), and dislikes it at first, then he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Ogletree), but Murph - who had asked him to dance with his sister, Bertha (Edwards) - informs him that three boys, Duke (Brock Pierce
Brock Pierce
Brock Pierce , is an entrepreneur best known for pioneering the market for virtual goods in online games. He has founded or co-founded seven companies, acquired more than thirty companies, and closed a dozen corporate finance transactions securing more than $200 million of funding on behalf of his...
), flamboyant actor Corky (Blake McIver Ewing
Blake McIver Ewing
Blake McIver Ewing is an American actor. He was known for playing Derek, Michelle's friend on Full House. Ewing also portrayed the role of Waldo in the 1994 feature film version of The Little Rascals. He was also the voice of Eugene on Hey Arnold!...
), and bad boy Blade (Jake Richardson
Jake Richardson (actor)
Jacob Matthew Richardson is an American actor, currently acting mostly in TV series. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the film Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves and the TV series Fudge.-Career:...
) have already taken her. Junior tries to proclaim his love to Tiffany, but fails miserably. He is given a teacher, Mr. Burtis (Bruce Morrow
Bruce Morrow
Bruce Morrow is an American radio personality known to many listeners as Cousin Brucie.-Radio work:...
), which he traps him similar to Miss Hicks at the beginning. He bites an apple, and feels pain. He and Ben go to a dental clinic where it is discovered by the infamous Mr. Peabody (Gilbert Gottfried
Gilbert Gottfried
Gilbert Gottfried is an American actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian, best known for his trademark comedic persona of speaking in a loud, grating tone of voice. He has played numerous roles in film and television, perhaps most notably voicing the parrot Iago in Disney's Aladdin , and...
) that he needs braces. Ben asks his father, Big Ben Healy (Jack Warden
Jack Warden
Jack Warden was an American character actor.-Early life:Warden was born John Warden Lebzelter in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Laura M. and John Warden Lebzelter, who was an engineer and technician. He was of Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry...
), for a $5,000 loan which leads to disappointing results.
After meeting the trio and Tiffany, he decides to start with scouting under Scoutmaster Phlim (Sherman Howard
Sherman Howard
Howard Lee Sherman is an American actor.-Theatre:In 1989 he appeared at the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. He played the title role in Hamlet and Malvolio in Twelfth Night...
) who is Duke's father. Afterwards he decides to enter hockey which Blade is in. He gets beaten by Blade's team (a scene shows his gear flying up into the air after a critical hit, an obvious parody of the first Problem Child
Problem Child (1990 film)
Problem Child is a 1990 American comedy film. It stars John Ritter, Amy Yasbeck, Gilbert Gottfried, Jack Warden, Michael Richards and Michael Oliver. The film was directed by Dennis Dugan.-Plot:...
). After his rough encounters, he decides to "get even" and take part in a Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
play, where he is stuck portraying a weed. Ben meets Sarah at a Big Ben's, and it is discovered that she was with Scoutmaster Phlim, and subsequently broken up with him.
During the hockey tournament, Junior beats everyone of the opposing team players, and strikes Blade with a hockey puck. After this, he is banned for life, and then he traps Corky by distracting the janitor (Rance Howard
Rance Howard
Rance Howard is an American actor who has starred in film and on television.-Life and career:Howard was born Harold Rance Beckenholdt in Oklahoma, the son of Ethel Cleo and Engel Beckenholdt, a farmer. He changed his name to "Rance Howard" when he became an actor. He married Jean Speegle Howard...
), and pulling the rope to the suspension harness, and crashing it down, severely injuring Corky and Lila Duvane.
After these two schemes, Junior and Ben are challenged to an obstacle course in which consists of a sack race, a tire run, a monkey bar cross, a rope climb, and a canoe race. Junior sabotages every obstacle on their side, and they win. However, Tiffany winds up being not what Junior expected; his "dream girl" is really a spoiled brat. Junior pranks her by tying the ribbon on her dress to a statue, and as she walks forward, it rips off, making it useless. Half-naked, embarrassed, and laughed at, Tiffany runs out crying, and Junior meets a nicer girl who is also wearing braces. Like the beginning, Junior depicts everyone in a coloring book, and signs off by saying "so long suckers!", as the words "The End" pop up in the book.
Cast
- William KattWilliam KattWilliam Theodore Katt is an American film and television actor, best known as the star of The Greatest American Hero. He is also known for playing Tommy Ross, the ill-fated prom date of Carrie White in the film version of Carrie and Paul Drake Jr. in the Perry Mason TV movies...
as Ben Healy - Justin Chapman as Junior Healy
- Sherman HowardSherman HowardHoward Lee Sherman is an American actor.-Theatre:In 1989 he appeared at the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. He played the title role in Hamlet and Malvolio in Twelfth Night...
as Scoutmaster Phlim - Carolyn Lowery as Sarah Gray
- Jennifer Ogletree as Tiffany
- Blake McIver EwingBlake McIver EwingBlake McIver Ewing is an American actor. He was known for playing Derek, Michelle's friend on Full House. Ewing also portrayed the role of Waldo in the 1994 feature film version of The Little Rascals. He was also the voice of Eugene on Hey Arnold!...
as Corky McCullen - Brock PierceBrock PierceBrock Pierce , is an entrepreneur best known for pioneering the market for virtual goods in online games. He has founded or co-founded seven companies, acquired more than thirty companies, and closed a dozen corporate finance transactions securing more than $200 million of funding on behalf of his...
as Duke - Jake RichardsonJake Richardson (actor)Jacob Matthew Richardson is an American actor, currently acting mostly in TV series. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the film Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves and the TV series Fudge.-Career:...
as Blade - Gilbert GottfriedGilbert GottfriedGilbert Gottfried is an American actor, voice actor and stand-up comedian, best known for his trademark comedic persona of speaking in a loud, grating tone of voice. He has played numerous roles in film and television, perhaps most notably voicing the parrot Iago in Disney's Aladdin , and...
as Igor Peabody - Jack WardenJack WardenJack Warden was an American character actor.-Early life:Warden was born John Warden Lebzelter in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Laura M. and John Warden Lebzelter, who was an engineer and technician. He was of Irish and Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry...
as Big Ben Healy - Ellen Albertini DowEllen Albertini DowEllen Albertini Dow is an American character actress. She often portrays feisty old ladies and is perhaps best known as the rapping grandmother who performs in the feature film The Wedding Singer...
as Lila Duvane - Marianne MuellerleileMarianne Muellerleile-Life and career:Muellerleile was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Margaret and Cecil E. Muellerleile, an oil company executive....
as Miss Hicks - Bruce MorrowBruce MorrowBruce Morrow is an American radio personality known to many listeners as Cousin Brucie.-Radio work:...
as Mr. Burtis - Jacqueline ObradorsJacqueline ObradorsJacqueline Danell Obradors is an American actress.Obradors was born in San Fernando Valley, California to Argentine immigrants Angie, a church worker, and Albert Obradors, an office cleaning business owner. Before becoming an actress, Jaqueline was a cashier at Hughes Market in Canoga Park,...
as Conchita - Kelli Thacker as Nurse Kiki
- Rance HowardRance HowardRance Howard is an American actor who has starred in film and on television.-Life and career:Howard was born Harold Rance Beckenholdt in Oklahoma, the son of Ethel Cleo and Engel Beckenholdt, a farmer. He changed his name to "Rance Howard" when he became an actor. He married Jean Speegle Howard...
as Janitor
Legal dispute
Michael OliverMichael Oliver (actor)
Michael Oliver is a former American child actor of the 1990s. Oliver is best known for his role as "Junior" in two Problem Child movies.-Early life and career:...
, the original actor who played Junior Healy, was involved in a legal dispute which prevented him from being in the third installment.